New Delhi (AFP) – Indian police fired tear gas and baton-charged protesters in New Delhi Monday as they tried to march on parliament to demand the resignation of the education minister over irregularities in major examinations.
Issued on: 20/07/2026 - 09:00Modified: 20/07/2026 - 11:18
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The protesters, mostly young students, ran for cover as police charged at them and fired tear gas shells near Jantar Mantar in the Indian capital.They are seeking the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam irregularities, including question paper leaks and technical glitches.Thousands of protesters started gathering from early Monday, defying a steady monsoon drizzle and police barricades, marking one of the biggest demonstrations in the capital for five years."Our country deserves a government that is bothered about what the young people have to say and is willing to correct its mistakes," said Sumit Kumar, 18."The future belongs to us and not these politicians."The protest comes after prominent activist Sonam Wangchuk was forcibly taken to hospital Saturday, bringing an abrupt end to his 20-day hunger strike in support of youths and the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement.The CJP has won millions of followers on social media since its launch in May, tapping into widespread anger over the country's education system and unemployment.
